Add Windows Firewall Exception

When enabled, the Windows Firewall blocks all incoming network traffic to your computer except those applications and ports you allow. The Windows Firewall control panel utility allows you to manage these exceptions.

Note: It is not necessary to disable the Windows Firewall to use our software. Firewalls provide a much higher level of security to your computer than default Windows security.

Add Firewall Program Exception

During the installation of either RPM or ExcelliPrint, a program exception is created automatically allowing the software to receive print jobs from your host system. No additional exceptions are required.

If you would like to use port exceptions instead, delete the auto-created program exception and follow the instructions below.

Determine Ports to Allow for ExcelliPrint

The software can be configured to listen on multiple TCP ports simultaneously. First, you need to determine which ports are used by , then create an exception for each port in the Windows Firewall. To determine which ports are in use, follow these instructions.

On the computer where ExcelliPrint is installed, open your Internet browser and access the ExcelliPrint website (i.e. http://localhost:8080). Now choose View from the Log menu.

Select Info. Choose High from the Network Detail drop list, None from Device Detail, and Low in Application Detail. Now click the View button.

Scan the log for messages similar to PROTOCOL port xxxxx now accepting connections. You should have a single HTTP and one or more IPDS messages. You may also have an HTTPS message as well. Note each port number; they will be used in the Add Port Firewall Exceptions section.

Note: If you connect to only from the local computer, it is not necessary to add exceptions for HTTP and HTTPS ports.

Determine Ports to Allow for RPM

In RPM , choose General Settings from the View menu. Click Ports.

Note the Port number for each entry in the list.

Add Firewall Port Exceptions

Now that you have determined which port numbers need to be allowed, an exception must be added to the Windows Firewall for each port. To add the firewall exceptions, follow these instructions.

Choose Control Panel from the Windows Start menu. Open the Security Center utility.

Determine the status of the Windows Firewall. If the Windows Firewall is off, it is not blocking connections from your host system. Regardless of the status, we recommend adding the port exception as the Windows Firewall may be turned on at any time.

Open the Exceptions tab and click the Add Port button. In the Add a Port dialog, enter a port number (i.e. ) on which to allow data in the Port Number field and provide a name for the exception. We suggest using a descriptive name such as the one shown in the graphic. In this case, is the protocol and is the program requiring the exception. Repeat this step to add an exception for each port is configured to use.

Verify all exceptions are listed in the Programs and Services list and press the OK button to accept the changes and dismiss the dialog. Press OK on the network connection's "Properties" dialog to apply the changes.

Note: Do not make any changes to the existing exceptions.

Your new firewall exceptions will take effect immediately.

Add Firewall Program Exception

With the Windows Firewall turned on, an exception must be added to allow to receive incoming print jobs. To add the firewall exceptions, follow these instructions.

Choose Control Panel from the Windows Start menu. Open the Security Center utility.

Determine the status of the Windows Firewall. If the Windows Firewall is off, it is not blocking connections from your host system. Regardless of the status, we recommend adding the program exception as the Windows Firewall may be turned on at any time.

Open the Exceptions tab and click the Add Program button. In the Add a Program dialog, click Browse and locate the application you wish to allow. In this case, the application is C:\Program Files\Brooks Internet Software\RPM\Rpmsrv.exe for RPM and C:\Program Files\Brooks Internet Software\ExcelliPrint\EPrintSrv.exe for ExcelliPrint.

Verify is listed in the Programs and Services list and press the OK button to accept the changes and dismiss the dialog. Press OK on the network connection's "Properties" dialog to apply the changes.

Note: Do not make any changes to the existing exceptions.

Your new firewall exceptions will take effect immediately.

Thank you for stopping by!

We realize most people come to this page for information on firewalls. The page has been on the Internet for a long time; we understand!

If you need a good software print server, please give our RPM Remote Print Manager product a try! Download the free 21-day trial and see what it can do for you. Be sure your firewall is open on ports 515 and 9100, and that you're not already running the Microsoft TCP/IP services module.